Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 5420 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08MANAMA237, BAHRAIN SEEKS OWN NUCLEAR REACTOR

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08MANAMA237.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08MANAMA237 2008-04-13 04:04 2011-02-18 21:09 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Manama
VZCZCXRO6354
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0237 1040429
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 130429Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7769
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000237 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2018 
TAGS: ENRG ECON PGOV BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN SEEKS OWN NUCLEAR REACTOR 
 
REF: A. 07 MANAMA 1070 
     ΒΆB. 07 MANAMA 982 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Adam Ereli, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

1.(C) Summary. Chairman of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa states that as gas talks with Bahrain's neighbors remain sluggish, officials seek to build a nuclear reactor on Bahraini soil. End Summary.

2.(C) In an April 8 meeting on the margins of the Crans Montana Middle Eastern and Central European Economies Forum, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) Chairman Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa (the PM's son) told Econoff that he had been at the forefront of Bahrain's exploration of renewable energy resources. "We are very interested in nuclear energy. We just don't know where we would put the reactor. It's hard to find a suitable spot." Econoff replied that he had understood that Bahrain was not interested in building its own nuclear reactor. "Oh yes." Shaikh Salman replied. "Yes, we are."

3.(C) On Bahrain's efforts to stave off a future energy shortage, he said he continued to urge the Qataris to reach a deal to provide gas to Bahrain. "The problem is that the Qataris have put a moratorium in place on new gas deals." Shaikh Salman said talks aimed at obtaining gas from the Saudis had also not been fruitful. Although Iran has appeared to be Bahrain's most promising option for gas, Shaikh Salman said that Bahrain had not progressed significantly with the Iranians since signing a gas MOU with that country (ref A). ------- COMMENT -------

4.(C) As Bahrain struggles to meet an energy shortage set to confront much of the region in coming years, the GOB has signaled clearly its interest in developing nuclear energy (ref B). The country joined the IAEA in September 2007; the King opened the parliament with a speech highlighting Bahrain's "entry into the nuclear age" in October 2007; and Bahrain signed a nuclear energy cooperation MOU with the U.S. in March.

5.(C) However, until now, Post has only heard from GOB interlocutors that Bahrain had no interest in hosting a nuclear reactor; it would participate in a joint nuclear power project within the GCC. It is likely that Sheikh Salman's comments reflect his own often idiosyncratic views, rather than official policy. He has a well-deserved reputation as erratic, ill-informed and ineffective. We believe it highly unlikely that Bahrain would be able to build and operate its own reactor without significant financial and technical assistance. Its small size also mitigates against hosting a reactor. Others, such as Saudi and the UAE, have ample space to locate a reactor far from population centers. Bahrain does not. End Comment. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX********************************************* ******** ERELI